When my MCS gets here, I'm going to swap the v-spokes for Rotas. So I need advice from anyone who has already done this. Do I need to change the OE lug bolts to put the Rotas on? (I've already asked Alex at Tire Rack, thank you Alex) and I have hub centric rings all ready to go.

Thanks!
Shelly

depends on which one you get, but the Grids seemed to be okay with
the stock lug bolts. :smile:

I was going to get that, until I looked at it close up.... eerr :cry:

I've got the Circuit 8, what was it you didn't like about the Grids?

On topic- Rotas are great wheels for the money. I know several people who have them and have had no prolblems. Weight to price can't be beat.
Off topic- The first mod to any MINI should be putting wheel studs on. Alex sells them and they are worth twice the price. It is easier to find specific lug nuts vice lug bolts, and much easier to change wheels back and forth.
Chris

Me too, I like Rota's, best bang for the buck. :smile: :smile: :smile:

I'll definitely be plopping down some cash for a set of Grids. They looks great and are pretty sturdy, plus they're CHEAP!

Marty

the paint job was really sloppy on the one I saw at the local shop.
I first thought it was just that one, but the other Grids were the
same way. But, that might've been just from a bad batch that the
store got free as a sample (?).

Both sets of mine (also have 15" Circuit 8's) were totally perfect. I know because I inspected every sq cm as I waxed them before mounting tires. Unless the displayed wheels were damaged in shipping they just put out as an example, but as a business if it were mine I wouldn't display a trashed product. :wink:

_________________
B&M S/S, DIY K&N W/Cowl Mod., Rota Slipstream's 16X7.5x45/56.1, 205X50X16 Yoko. ES-100. DIY Oil catch can, DIY exhaust next..

I have polished Circuit 8s so I'm not sure about the slopiness of the paint, mine have a decent clearcoat on them that has not started to flake yet (knock on wood). They're good wheels for the money and I'm still very happy with my purchase. I did not need special lug bolts and did not use hub centric rings (although it's more convenient if you do).

I've got Rota Slipstreams... I replaced the stock lugs with some external spline drive lugs that were factory spec, and they are working fine.

The Rota's are nice. Are they also forged? I did find some nice forged 17x7's Centerlines at Jegs.com for around $171. each They are also polished. there are a couple nice designs for FWD cars.

They are cast... but light and strong!

So far then, it looks like I can mount on the OE lug bolts, with a heartly recommendation to swap the bolts for studs, which I'm considering. Thanks for the recommendation Chris. I'll have to lookee see if I can find a how-to on swapping bolts for studs. ( well.... I've never done it before, and I'll be gollywollered if I'm gonna try and figure it out using my truck :razz: ) Don't see myself swapping wheels frequently at this point... but the future can bring any number of changes.

Yeah, I decided on Rotas because they have a pretty good price to weight ratio, and a good selection of styles as well. I have seen reference to Rota GT3s being forged, with 16" weighing in at 11 lbs :eek:

norm03s - what a wonderful idea! I'm gonna go wax my wheels!
Shelly

I live in Oceanside and can do it for you. Just PM.
Chris

Wow, that's a mighty kind offer Chris! Uhhhmmm, how do I know what wheel stud size I need? Do they even come in sizes?

I'm figuring it'll take a week or 2 to get everything in one place.

Wheels & rings - got'em
Car - leaves Classic this Sat.
Tires & studs - order from Tire Rack on Monday

Then I need to get the tires mounted and balanced.

Is swapping the lug/studs easier for you to do before or after the new wheels go on the car?

'nother set of 16" v-spokes and nearly new tires coming to the marketplace soon! :lol: :lol:

Shelly

Call Alex at Tirerack, he has all the info.

>>When my MCS gets here, I'm going to swap the v-spokes for Rotas.
>>So I need advice from anyone who has already done this.
>>Do I need to change the OE lug bolts to put the Rotas on?

Shelly -- I have polished 16" Rota Slipstreams on my MCS (yes, that's real snow in the background!):
https://www.pbase.com/image/25819567/small.jpg
The rubber is 205/50R16 Falken ZE512 (which actually works in the snow).


I got mine from Rspeed in Atlanta and Peter threw in some "Tuner Lugs". The were pretty, chrome dudes so I gave them a try. I found that (even though I initially torqued them to ~80 ft-lbs) the left front wheel would un-torque itself after a few miles.

On examining the freebie lugs, I saw that the diagonal part of the lug (where you develop the friction with the wheel) was a lot shorter than the OEM black lugs. In addition, you could see that some of the chrome plating was flaking off. So I banned the chrome lugs and went back to the OEM black oxide and haven't had a problem.

Since that worked for me I can't offer any recommendations on the after-marked studs.

The 'Centric rings I use are plastic resin, 56.1mm ID, 67mm OD (furnished by Rspeed). They are only about 1/4" thick and fit pretty loosely. I would have preferred thicker metal ones but was unable to find them.

Regards, Tom

We have Rotas

http://rspeed.net/mini/subcat.asp?dept=12&cat=6

>>So far then, it looks like I can mount on the OE lug bolts, with a heartly recommendation to swap the bolts for studs, which I'm considering. Thanks for the recommendation Chris. I'll have to lookee see if I can find a how-to on swapping bolts for studs. ( well.... I've never done it before, and I'll be gollywollered if I'm gonna try and figure it out using my truck :smile: